NEWS 13 Possible facility closure a concern IN BRIEF THE possible closure of a government-funded Millicent educational facility is worrying Wattle Range Council Mayor Peter Gandolfi. He said the Learning Together sessions at Newbery Park Primary School may cease at the end of next month due to the withdrawal of State Government funding. Education Minister Dr Susan Close is to receive a protest letter from him urging her to maintain funding for the program. Mr Gandolfi is a former scholar of the school, which was known as Millicent South, and recently attended a Learning Together session. “The program provides parents with the opportunity to participate in learning programs with their children while networking with other parents,” Mr Gandolfi said. “The program offers parents training in a Diploma in Children’s Services. “I am also advised that it meets the needs for parents who require supervised visits with their children. “It was evident to me after speaking to parents that the program offers many benefits for parents and children who are at a disadvantage for one reason or another. “What concerns me is that funding for this program, which extends to Kangaroo Inn Area School and Mount Burr Primary, is expected to stop at the end of this financial year.” Drain consultation ‘irrelevant’ THE Millicent-based South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board is to receive a letter from the Grant District Council regarding the review of its 2012-15 management plan. The council believes the consultation process had been “somewhat bureaucratic and irrelevant”. Chief executive Trevor Smart said council would welcome input into the development of the 2016-19 management plan. “As per the recent community panel recommendations to the minister on how the required works on the South East Drainage Network should be funded, the 2016-19 plan will be interesting from the context of planned works via required works and how this may be funded,” he said. Robe mayor attends conference ROBE Mayor Peter Riseley has recently attended a conference in Melbourne with the intriguing title of “Small Town Sexy”. He said the agenda was devoted to the art of revitalizing small towns and communities. “It was a truly inspirational day with much learnt,” Mr Riseley said. “Robe has a solid foundation celebrating the past, present and future. “I look forward to sharing the slideshow presentation with District Council of Robe, tourist groups and others in the near future.” Mr Riseley also reported to the May monthly council meeting that he had attended 13 other official events in the past month in addition to the Small Town Sexy conference. Council seeks bridge repair funds WATTLE Range Council is to lobby Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss for funds to repair, upgrade and maintain the bridges in the area which are the responsibility of the Millicentbased South East Water Conservation and Drainage Board. Council has accepted with reluctance a recent report from the board which recommended that load limits be applied on six bridges in the council area. CFS training officer appointed A NEW regional training officer has been appointed by the Country Fire Service. Nick de Rozario has recently transferred from the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources in Adelaide, where he worked as a fire management officer. In his eight-month secondment to the Naracoorte office, Mr de Rozario will oversee training programs for the 81 brigades in CFS Region 5. www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au THANKED: Brett Renehan, Mia Renehan, Jessica Lyndon and Willow Morley enjoyed the volunteer luncheon held last Wednesday. School helpers thanked Millicent volunteer contributions recognised MUSTILLO RAQUEL journo1@setimes.com.au HARD-WORKING Millicent High School volunteers were celebrated at an afternoon tea last week for their contribution to the school community. A cross section of school volunteers were thanked by teaching staff and school support officers during the school’s National Volunteer Week event held on Wednesday. Community mentors, canteen volunteers and “pedal prix” supporters were presented with certificates recognising their contribution to assisting young people and the school. Millicent High School principal John Shelton commended the selfless work undertaken by volunteers. “In the school’s view, there are a lot of activities we would not be able to do without the efforts of our volunteers,” he said. “Volunteers have a significant impact in whatever they do and there is no doubt our volunteers have a significant impact in our school.” DEDICATION: Karen Brown and Kris Michelson were among the many Millicent High School volunteers celebrated at the school’s National Volunteers Week event. INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION: Millicent High School volunteers Allie Richards, Jen Golding and Leanne Schmook were thanked for their selfless contribution to the school community at last week’s volunteer luncheon. The South Eastern Times, Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 13